Seminole County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Seminole County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Seminole County may access publicly available information through SeminoleRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Seminole County, Florida, are maintained across multiple agencies, and the information available may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, and disposition data. The completeness and currency of any record depend on the originating agency and the method of access.
Records that may be found through official and aggregated sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Charge information and case dispositions
- Sentencing and probation records
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registration status
- Jail inmate rosters
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public:
1. County Court Records: The Seminole County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records for cases filed in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse or use public access terminals located in the clerk's lobby. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certain requests. Case information may be searched by name, case number, or date of filing.
Seminole County Clerk of Courts
301 N. Park Ave.
Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: (407) 665-4330
Seminole County Clerk of Courts
2. Sheriff's Office: The Seminole County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Requests for records may be submitted in person or by mail. Fees apply for copies of records. The jail roster is updated regularly and accessible online.
Seminole County Sheriff's Office
100 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
Phone: (407) 665-6650
Seminole County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search: The Seminole County Clerk of Courts provides an online case search portal through which members of the public may search criminal cases by name or case number. The portal includes case status, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Sealed and expunged records do not appear in online results.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based background check request through the FDLE Criminal History Information portal. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are required for employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, a name-based search costs $24 and a fingerprint-based search costs $24 plus fingerprinting fees.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
5. Written/Mail Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Seminole County Clerk of Courts or the Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Seminole County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Seminole County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. Under Florida law, criminal records are created and updated at each stage of the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Florida law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court and law enforcement records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Florida's public records law. Juvenile records are confidential under Florida Statute § 985.04 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Seminole County include:
- Seminole County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court — court case files, charges, dispositions, sentencing
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports within their jurisdictions
Records may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole status, and appeals. The Seminole County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of court records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Seminole County
Criminal records in Seminole County are public records under Florida law. Florida Statute § 119.01 establishes the public policy of the state, providing that "it is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and arrest records are accessible to members of the public absent a specific statutory exemption.
Records that are available to the public include adult arrest records, criminal court case filings, charge information, and final dispositions. Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under § 985.04
- Sealed and expunged records, which are removed from public access pursuant to court order
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal confidentiality requirements
The Florida Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and exemptions through the Florida Public Records Law resource. Members of the public who believe a records request has been improperly denied may seek enforcement through the circuit court.
How To Find Criminal Records in Seminole County Online
Official County Resources: The Seminole County Clerk of Courts provides online access to criminal court records through its public case search portal. Members of the public may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal includes case status, charges, hearing schedules, and dispositions. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail inmate roster online, updated regularly with booking information.
State-Level Resources: The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and the FDLE criminal history system provide statewide access to court and criminal history data. The Florida Courts website offers links to individual circuit court case search tools. FDLE's online portal allows name-based criminal history searches for a fee.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital filing systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online database
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating electronic filing are not fully digitized. Online searches do not substitute for certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Seminole County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Florida law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under § 119.07(1), every person has the right to inspect public records. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Seminole County Clerk of Courts and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The following resources are available at no cost:
- Seminole County Clerk of Courts case search — criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Seminole County Sheriff's Office jail roster — current inmate and booking information
- Florida Courts case search portals — circuit court records statewide
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Seminole County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking reports, which are available to the public at no charge through the agency's website.
What Costs Money:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00 per page (first page); $0.15 per page thereafter |
| Official FDLE name-based background check | $24.00 |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $24.00 + fingerprinting fees |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Electronic copies (where applicable) | Variable |
Fee schedules are established under Florida Statute § 119.07(4), which sets the standard per-page copying fee for public records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Seminole County Criminal Record
Identifying Information: A criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, Florida State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statutes), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, probation conditions), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements: A complete criminal record may also include active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, and pending charges.
Records NOT Included:
- Juvenile records (confidential under § 985.04)
- Expunged or sealed records (removed from public access by court order)
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note: Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name similarities, or incomplete updates. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may petition the originating agency or the court for correction. The FDLE Criminal History Records office provides a formal process for challenging inaccurate state criminal history information.
How Long Does Seminole County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: Florida's records retention schedules, established by the Division of Library and Information Services under the Florida Department of State, govern how long criminal records must be maintained. The Florida General Records Schedule provides the authoritative framework for retention periods applicable to county agencies.
Retention by Record Type:
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; state repository retains indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office for a minimum period; may be eligible for expungement under Florida law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently and reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by § 985.04
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the case
Agency Differences:
- County courts: Court records are retained permanently pursuant to Florida records retention rules
- Sheriff's Office and jail: Booking and arrest records are retained according to the applicable general records schedule
- FDLE state repository: Conviction records are retained permanently; the FDLE Criminal History Records system serves as the authoritative statewide repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods and are not subject to physical deterioration. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record pursuant to a retention schedule. Sealing removes a record from public access while preserving it for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Florida law, results in the physical destruction of the record by the custodial agency, though the FDLE retains a confidential notation. Eligibility for expungement is governed by Florida Statute § 943.0585, and petition forms are available through the FDLE Expungement and Sealing portal.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests and may be held in physical archives. Members of the public seeking pre-digital records may contact the Seminole County Clerk of Courts directly.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by separate federal retention rules and are not subject to Florida's public records law. The FBI's criminal history repository operates independently of county and state systems.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's criminal record permanently unless expunged or sealed. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present cover criminal history for seven to ten years for most positions, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to § 943.0585.